Federal Communications Commission DA 19-543 DA 22-835 Released: August 9, 2022 FCC INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL DEAF-BLIND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOR THE STATE OF MAINE CG Docket No. 10-210 Applications Due Date: September 8, 2022 Under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), also called “iCanConnect,” the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) may provide up to $10 million annually from the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (TRS Fund) to support programs that distribute equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind, so that these individuals can access telecommunications service, Internet access service, and advanced communications services. 47 U.S.C. § 620; see also 47 CFR §§ 64.6201-64.6219; Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Section 105, Relay Services for Deaf-Blind Individuals, Report and Order, 31 FCC Rcd 9178 (2016) (NDBEDP Permanent Program Order). On May 17, 2022, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB or Bureau) certified Disability Rights Maine to distribute equipment under the NDBEDP for Maine for a period of five years, from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027. See Commission Announces Entities Certified to Participate in the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, Public Notice, DA 22-541 (CGB 2020). Collectively, the entities selected to participate in the NDBEDP are referred to as “certified programs” or “state programs.” Recently, Disability Rights Maine informed the Commission that it would not continue participating in the NDBEDP and that it would relinquish its certification effective November 30, 2022. Letter from Kim Moody, Executive Director, Disability Rights Maine, to Jacqueline Ellington, NDBEDP Administrator, Disability Rights Office (DRO), CGB, FCC (July 14, 2022). By this notice, the Commission invites applications from entities interested in being certified through June 30, 2027, to distribute equipment under the NDBEDP to eligible individuals in Maine. 47 CFR §§ 64.6207(b)(3), 64.6207(e) (explaining that, when a certified program is replaced prior to the expiration of its certification period, the successor entity's certification will expire on the date that the replaced entity's certification would have expired). The Commission will accept applications for this purpose until September 8, 2022. 47 CFR § 64.6207(b)(3) (stating that applications for certification must be filed within thirty days after the date of the Public Notice regarding a program’s relinquishment of certification. This notice summarizes the qualifications for obtaining certification to participate in the NDBEDP. All certified programs must comply with the Commission’s NDBEDP rules. 47 CFR §§ 64.6201-64.6219. We encourage each applicant to become familiar with the complete requirements for program participation and the rules governing the NDBEDP before submitting its application. Id.; see also NDBEDP Permanent Program Order, 31 FCC Rcd 9178. BACKGROUND: For Maine, the Commission will certify a single program as the sole entity authorized to receive reimbursement from the TRS Fund for NDBEDP activities in that state. 47 CFR § 64.6207. The certified program will have full responsibility for distributing equipment and providing related services (e.g., outreach, assessments, installation, and training) in that state, either directly or through collaboration, partnership, or contract with other individuals or entities in-state or out-of-state, including other NDBEDP certified programs. Id. The entity selected for certification for Maine will be reimbursed for eligible NDBEDP-related costs that it incurs after its selection and for the duration of its certification. 47 CFR § 64.6213 (setting forth the reimbursement process and requirements). The certification period will end June 30, 2027, unless the certification is relinquished, suspended, revoked, or renewed. See 47 CFR § 64.6207(e), (g)-(h). WHO MAY APPLY? Any public or private entity may apply to the Commission for certification to participate in the NDBEDP and receive reimbursement for NDBEDP activities from the TRS Fund. 47 CFR § 64.6207(a). For example, equipment distribution programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, assistive technology programs, schools for the deaf, blind, or deaf-blind, organizational affiliates, independent living centers, or private educational facilities, may apply. Id. Entities based within or outside a state may apply for certification to administer any NDBEDP state program. NDBEDP Permanent Program Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 9191, para. 25. For example, an out-of-state entity that works with in-state partners to provide services may function well in states that lack sufficient resources. When making its certification selections, CGB will consider the benefits that a local entity can bring to its state’s residents, such as through established relationships with state networks and the ability to meet consumers’ needs as they arise, especially when weighing the merits of equally qualified applicants. Id., 31 FCC Rcd at 9191, para. 26. FILING AN APPLICATION: There is no application form, fee, or specified format that must be used to apply for NDBEDP certification. However, applications must contain sufficient detail to demonstrate the applicant’s ability to meet all criteria required for certification and must commit to comply with all Commission requirements governing the NDBEDP. 47 CFR § 64.6207(c); see also NDBEDP Permanent Program Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 9187-91, paras. 17-27. The Commission will review applications and will determine whether to grant certification based on the ability of an entity to meet the following qualifications, either directly or in coordination with other programs or entities, as evidenced in the application and any supplemental materials: 47 CFR § 64.6207(c)(1)-(7). Applicants may also include letters of recommendation from members of the deaf-blind community in their state, experts, or others with direct knowledge of the applicants’ capabilities and qualifications. · Expertise in the field of deaf-blindness, including familiarity with the culture and etiquette of individuals who are deaf-blind. The Commission defines the phrase “expertise in the field of deaf-blindness, including familiarity with the culture and etiquette of people who are deaf-blind” to include expertise regarding the language and communication needs of individuals who are deaf-blind. NDBEDP Permanent Program Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 9187, n.53. · The ability to communicate effectively with individuals who are deaf-blind (for training and other purposes), by, among other things, using sign language, providing materials in Braille, ensuring that information made available online is accessible, and using other assistive technologies and methods to achieve effective communication. · Administrative and financial management experience needed to effectively operate a state’s NDBEDP program. For example, applicants should have experience and expertise in managing programmatic funds, recordkeeping, and generally accepted accounting principles. Id., 31 FCC Rcd at 9189, para. 22. Applicants should also have the financial resources and the administrative experience to support the equipment purchase, control, and inventory processes, the reimbursement process, and the annual audit. See id., 31 FCC Rcd at 9189-90, n.73. · Staffing and facilities sufficient to administer the program, including the ability to distribute equipment and provide related services to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind throughout the state, including those living in remote areas. · Experience with the distribution of specialized customer premises equipment, especially to individuals who are deaf-blind. · Experience in training consumers on how to use the equipment and how to set up the equipment for its effective use. · Familiarity with telecommunications service, Internet access service, and advanced communications services. In addition to the qualifications listed above, an applicant for certification must disclose in its application any relationship, arrangement, or agreement with a manufacturer or provider of equipment or related services that poses an actual or potential conflict of interest, as well as the steps the applicant will take to eliminate such actual or potential conflict or to minimize the associated risks. 47 CFR § 64.6207(d)(1); see also NDBEDP Permanent Program Order, 31 FCC Rcd at 9190, paras. 23-24. The Commission may reject an application for NDBEDP certification, or may require an applicant, as a condition of certification, to take additional steps to eliminate, or to minimize the risks associated with, an actual or potential conflict of interest, if relationships, arrangements, or agreements affecting the applicant are likely to impede its objectivity in the distribution of equipment or its ability to comply with NDBEDP requirements. 47 CFR § 64.6207(d)(1). If an applicant for certification learns of a potential or actual conflict while its application is pending, it must immediately disclose such conflict to the Commission. 47 CFR § 64.6207(d)(1). Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications electronically to NDBEDP@fcc.gov. If electronic filing is not available, applications may be mailed to the following address: NDBEDP Administrator Disability Rights Office Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street, NE Washington, DC 20554 ACCESSIBLE FORMATS: To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice) or 202-418-0432 (TTY). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Jackie Ellington, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-418-1153 or Jackie.Ellington@fcc.gov; or Joshua Mendelsohn, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at 202-559-7304 or Joshua.Mendelsohn@fcc.gov. -FCC- 2